Two Research Engineers

Aalto University is where science and art meet technology and business. We shape a sustainable future by making research breakthroughs in and across our disciplines, sparking the game changers of tomorrow and creating novel solutions to major global challenges. Our community is made up of 120 nationalities, 14 000 students, 400 professors and close to 5000 faculty and staff working on our dynamic campus in Espoo, Greater Helsinki, Finland. Diversity is part of who we are, and we actively work to ensure our community’s diversity and inclusiveness. This is why we warmly encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to join our community.

The Aalto University School of Science is a pioneering research and education unit that boldly expands the boundaries of science. We match cutting-edge scientific and technological advances with societal needs to produce far-reaching impact. The research at our school focuses on advanced energy solutions; condensed matter and materials physics; the creation and transformation of technology-based business; data science and artificial intelligence; health technology; neuroscience; and software engineering. We award around 450 master’s and 80 doctoral degrees annually   . Our personnel consist of 1200 people with 113 professors.

The School of Science is looking for:

Two Research Engineers

with broad, practical expertise and scientific mindsets to join SCI Technical Services. Each Research Engineer will be based primarily either in the Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering (NBE) or the Department of Applied Physics (PHYS), with comprehensive responsibility for technical services in the department, but will apply their areas of expertise in the other department by sharing related duties. The workplace for both positions is Aalto University’s campus in Otaniemi; only limited remote work is possible in these positions.

Position A: Research Engineer, SCI Technical Services supporting NBE

The Department of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering focuses on biomedical engineering, biophysics, and brain research. We combine experimental and computational methods and develop algorithms, as well as new technologies to tackle major problems in human well-being and medical diagnostics.

Position overview

We are seeking a dedicated Research Engineer to support the multidisciplinary research profile within NBE. This role involves supporting, maintaining and developing our laboratory infrastructure and procedures, ensuring the reliable and safe operation of equipment, and supporting our research activities by working closely with academic employees.

The position requires a solutions-oriented approach, a keen technical and scientific mindset, and excellent communication skills. The ability to independently prioritize and address evolving challenges in parallel in a collaborative, international environment is the foundation for success in this role. We expect your proficiency in implementing solutions will be based on years of experience in a technical research environment and that you will be familiar with the priorities of an academic environment. We value applicants who wish to contribute their experience to elevate the quality of scientific research and develop their professional skills without an expectation of participation in the scientific publication process.

Key responsibilities

• Work closely with academic employees to support their research needs, ensuring efficient and safe laboratory operations by actively contributing improvements
• Maintain reliable operation of shared experimental equipment by coordinating equipment servicing, procurement, performance validation and the resolution of technical issues
• Organize documentation relating to equipment SOPs, service histories, training, and use, with a focus on safe, responsible operation
• Develop and contribute to the daily operations of the laboratories in accordance with departmental needs and participate in workplace planning for increasing amounts of shared experimental equipment
• Act as the Building Officer (talovastaava) for the department’s activities
• Facilitate effective communication among laboratory users and coordinate work with Aalto’s Campus and Real Estate organization and external service providers to maintain building utilities
• Contribute and develop your scientific and engineering expertise in other areas (see below), both to assist research groups in their daily operations and to create online training materials for the workplace at a level appropriate for graduate and postgraduate self-study

Qualifications

• Previous work experience acquired from a Finnish working environment is a requirement
• Master of Science in Science, Engineering or Technology. Years of experience in different technical roles are an asset, particularly in areas relating to:
  • Photo-physics
  • Physiochemical methods in related life sciences
  • Bacterial or mammalian cell cultures
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Electrical engineering
  • Acoustics or ultrasonics
• A Ph.D. or additional experience that contributes to understanding the academic environment is a benefit; additional educational experience is valued
• Practical experience in the administration and implementation of laboratory operations
• Applied experience in safely managing the life cycle of research chemicals and the use of compressed gases
• Proficient problem-solving in research-driven and academic environments
• A support-oriented attitude with a readiness to learn, face new challenges, and develop your own skill sets
• Fluent spoken and written communication skills in English
• Fluency in spoken and written Finnish are assets

Position B: Research Engineer, SCI Technical Services supporting PHYS

At the Department of Applied Physics, our pioneering research in physical sciences creates important industrial applications that hold great technological potential. Our research focuses on materials physics, quantum technology, soft & living matter, and advanced energy solutions. Topics extend from fundamental research to important applications. We educate future generations of research and development professionals, data specialists, technology experts, inventors, and scientists for industry and society.

Position overview

We are seeking a dedicated Research Engineer to support the broad range of research within PHYS. This role involves supporting, maintaining and developing our support procedures, ensuring efficient and safe daily operations.

To support the research activities of our academic employees, a solutions-oriented approach, a keen technical and scientific mindset, and excellent communication skills are required. The ability to independently prioritize and address evolving challenges in parallel in a collaborative, international environment is the foundation for success in this role. We expect your proficiency in implementing solutions will be based on years of experience in a technical research environment, and that you will be familiar with the priorities of an academic environment. We value applicants with hands-on, practical experience coupled with a service mindset who wish to contribute their experience to elevate the quality of scientific research and develop their professional skills without being able to participate in scientific research in this service position.

Key responsibilities

• Act as the primary purchaser of research chemicals (including compressed gases) and manage their lifecycles as they enter and exit research groups
  • Receive products and maintain the accuracy of workplace chemical inventories
  • Ensure that waste produced by research groups is acceptable for transport according to ADR requirements
• Contribute your chemical expertise to assist researchers and their supervisors in creating both pertinent risk assessments and risk-reduction actions
• Similarly, assist research groups in the practical set-up and execution of chemical experiments
• Provide support in monitoring experimental workspaces and collaborate with supervisors to continuously improve daily operations
• Build and maintain common standards for workplace procedures, with a particular focus on occupational health and safety
• Contribute and develop your scientific and engineering expertise in other areas (see below), both to assist research groups in their daily operations and to create online training materials for the workplace at a level appropriate for graduate and postgraduate self-study

Qualifications

• Previous work experience acquired from a Finnish working environment is a requirement
• Master of Science in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or a related field with significant experience in applied chemistry
• A Ph.D. or additional experience that contributes to understanding the academic environment is a benefit; additional educational experience is valued
• Additional experience in different technical roles relating to the experimental work of PHYS are an asset, particularly in areas relating to:
  • Vacuum and UHV systems, including component design and testing
  • Cryogenic systems
  • Optics, laser systems, and spectroscopy
  • Microscopy
  • Mechanical and electromagnetic isolation
  • Bacterial or mammalian cell cultures
• Practical experience in the administration and implementation of laboratory operations
• Applied experience in safely managing the life cycle of research chemicals and the use of compressed gases is essential
• Proficient problem-solving in research-driven and academic environments
• A support-oriented attitude with a readiness to learn, face new challenges, and develop your own skill sets
• Fluent spoken and written communication skills in English
• Fluency in spoken and written Finnish are assets

Your network and team

You will be joining the Technical Services team at the School of Science, reporting to Research Engineering Lead Martin Lennox. Our team values proactive, autonomous members who implement solutions with the best fit, form and function for any challenge that they encounter. Making use of your existing networks and cultivating new ones in the academic community is a key to success in this position.

What we offer

• A permanent position in a multi-cultural academic environment. You will be able to use your skills and expertise to develop our world-class research environment, as well as to work in a scientific community conducting research at the highest international level.
• Meaningful and inspiring environment. We are proud of our purpose to shape a sustainable future. We spark the game changers of tomorrow, and renew society with research-based knowledge, creativity and an entrepreneurial mindset.
• Culture that inspires and includes everyone. All our work is guided by the values of the university: responsibility, courage, and collaboration. It’s the people that create Aalto, now and in the future. We want to be an open community where equality and inclusion enable curiosity, innovation, collaboration and wellbeing.
• Support, coaching and sparring when you feel you need it. Great possibilities for competence development and learning.
• Occupational healthcare services. Currently provided by Terveystalo.
• Sports benefit: Staff discounts on Unisport services at the campus and other Unisport locations at an affordable staff rate.
• Commuter ticket benefit: Aalto University offers its employees a possibility for commuter ticket benefit of 10 €/month for public transport.
• My Hour – Time for wellbeing: One working hour a week for personal wellbeing.

The salary for the position will be determined according to the Salary System for Finnish Universities used by Aalto University. The salary range for this position is approximately 4200–5200 €/month, depending on the experience and qualifications of the selected person.

The primary workplace is located at the Otaniemi Campus in Espoo, Finland. Life on campus is vibrant, featuring stunning architecture, tranquil nature, and a variety of cafes, restaurants, and services, all complemented by excellent public transportation connections. This position involves working predominantly on campus, with limited opportunities for remote work.

Ready to apply?

To apply, please share the following application materials with us (all documents in English and in PDF form) through our recruitment site ("Apply now!”) latest on Tuesday 6 January 2026 at 23.59pm (EET):

• Résumé
• Motivation letter

Please note: Aalto University’s employees should apply for the position via our internal HR system Workday (Internal Jobs) by using their existing Workday user account (not via the external webpage for open positions). If you are a student or visitor at Aalto University, please apply with your personal email address (not aalto.fi) via Aalto University open positions.

If you have specific questions regarding these roles , please contact Martin Lennox by telephone at +358 50 441 6315 on Monday, December 29 between 10:00 and 11:00 EET, or via email at firstname.lastname@aalto.fi.

For questions related to the application process, please contact HR Partner Maarit Pietiäinen via email firstname.lastname@aalto.fi.

Want to know more about us and your future colleagues? You can watch these videos:

This is Aalto University!
Aalto University – Towards a better world
and Shaping a Sustainable Future.

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